India saw an accelerated rise in COVID,-19 infections in Saturday as the country recorded 1,59,632 new cases of Covid-19 and 3,623 cases of Omicron variant reported across 27 states and union territories. A review meeting concerning the pandemic situation will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening at 4:30 PM.
The Prime Minister had earlier advised the population to be vigilant and maintain strict precautions against the virus even as the Health Ministry confirmed that Omicron was well on its way to replacing Delta as the predominant variant in the country.
The 'R nought' value for the country was recorded at 4 this week which indicates the spread of infection is manifestly higher than the 1.96 value recorded at the peak of the second wave of the pandemic.
The daily positivity rate for the country is now at 10.21% with an active case load of 5,90,611. 327 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours ending Sunday, 9 AM. Maharashtra tops the list of Omicron infections, with 1009 confirmed cases and a rise of over 40,000 infections in a day.
This is followed by Delhi at 513, Karnataka 441, Rajasthan 373, Kerala 333 and Gujarat 204. Over 220 deaths have been reported form Kerala in the last few months alone although the state's Health Minister Veena George has ruled out another lockdown, urging the public to maintain mask usage and social distancing to avoid hampering economic and social activities.
Delhi today reported 20,181 fresh Covid cases, the highest single-day rise since May last year. The capital city also reported 7 deaths over the last 24 hours.
The national COVID-19 recovery rate decreased to 96.98% the health ministry said.
India has administered a total of 151.57 crore vaccine doses so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive. Over 2 crore children in the age range between 15-18 years have been vaccinated this week since the special vaccine drive for schoolchildren began, a feat hailed by the Prime Minister on Saturday.
On Saturday, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Chairperson Iqbal Chahal confirmed that 96% of the hospitalised or severe cases of Covid-19 were elderly and unvaccinated. The precautionary dose or third booster dose of vaccines for those above 60, those with comorbidities and frontline health workers will commence on Monday, January 10.